Hu Xiao

Basic Profile

Hu Xiao (Chinese: 虎啸, “Tiger’s Roar”), studbook number 773, was a male giant panda born on July 29, 2010 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) Ya’an Bifengxia Base. His mother was Long Xin (龙欣, studbook 516) — the “Genius Panda Mother.”

He was named “Hu Xiao” for being born in the Year of the Tiger.

Siblings

Through his mother Long Xin, Hu Xiao’s siblings included Xi Wang (希望), Fu Ni (福妮), Fu Wa (福娃/Xing Xing), Shui Ling (水灵), Qing Feng (清风), You You (佑佑), Han Yuan (汉媛), Yuan Xin (园欣/Le Bao), Xin Yuan (新媛), Ran Ran (冉冉), Mai Mai (迈迈), and Xing Lu (兴路).

The Friendship with Shan Hu

Hu Xiao’s story cannot be told without Shan Hu (山虎, studbook 790). The two were not biological brothers, but they were raised together from six months of age and became inseparable. According to their keeper Xu Yalin, who accompanied them from Sichuan to Hangzhou:

“Hu Xiao and Shan Hu complement each other perfectly — one active, one calm; one impatient, one easygoing. They tolerate each other’s differences and live in harmony.”

Hu Xiao was the troublemaker — hyperactive, impatient, constantly climbing trees, picking fights, always in motion. His name — “Tiger’s Roar” — suited him perfectly.

Shan Hu was the peacemaker — gentle, patient, willing to put up with Hu Xiao’s provocations as if they were games.

They had been together for nearly two years by the time of the Hangzhou transfer, and their keeper specifically arranged for them to travel together so they could support each other in the new environment.

Life Journey

The Hangzhou Arrival (2012)

On September 25, 2012, Hu Xiao, Shan Hu, and a female panda named Li Li (丽丽) were flown to Hangzhou Wildlife World — the two males on separate flights with Li Li.

Upon arrival, Hu Xiao threw a tantrum. He refused to leave his transport crate, apparently airsick from the flight. Keepers tried coaxing him with bamboo and fruit — no response. Eventually, they carried the entire crate into the panda enclosure, crate and all.

Then Shan Hu, already free in the enclosure, spotted the food pile and began eating — noisily, contentedly, with evident pleasure. Hu Xiao watched from inside his crate. He held out for a few more minutes. Then, unable to resist, he burst out of the crate in a single explosive charge, trampling a keeper’s foot on his way to the bamboo.

Death

On December 30, 2013, Hu Xiao died at Hangzhou Wildlife World. He was only 3 years old. The specific cause of death was not publicly detailed.

His best friend Shan Hu would outlive him by nearly five years.